The PCB announced the Test squad on Sunday ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies. While Masood has been retained in the squad as a player, he will no longer lead the team.

The move follows a difficult period for Pakistan in red-ball cricket. The national side has lost its last seven Test matches, equalling one of the longest losing streaks in the country's Test history. The results intensified pressure on the leadership group and prompted a review of the team’s direction before a busy international schedule.

PCB High-Performance Director Aaqib Javed said the team had repeatedly failed to convert winning positions into victories. According to PCB officials, concerns were raised not only about results but also about on-field decision-making during crucial moments of matches.

Masood’s removal ends a challenging captaincy spell. He led Pakistan in 16 Test matches, with the team suffering 12 defeats during that period. Statistics from Pakistan’s Test history show that no captain had previously lost as many as 12 of his first 16 matches in charge.

Despite the disappointing team results, Masood’s individual form remained one of the few positives. His batting average improved after taking over the captaincy, and he contributed two centuries and seven half-centuries during his tenure. PCB officials acknowledged his performances with the bat but indicated that leadership is ultimately judged by team outcomes.

The board’s decision reflects a broader effort to stabilize the Test side before important overseas assignments. Pakistan will face the West Indies in a two-match Test series later this month. The first Test is scheduled to begin on July 25 in Tarouba, while the second match will start on August 2 in Port of Spain.

Following the Caribbean tour, Pakistan are expected to travel to England, making the upcoming series an important opportunity for the team to regain confidence and momentum.

For Babar Azam, the appointment marks a return to familiar territory. Widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s leading batters of the modern era, Babar previously captained the Test team in 20 matches. Under his leadership, Pakistan recorded 10 victories and secured notable series wins.

His previous tenure included a home Test series victory over South Africa and successful campaigns against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Those results helped establish Pakistan as a competitive Test side during that period.

However, Babar’s earlier captaincy was not without setbacks. One of the most significant disappointments came when Pakistan suffered a historic 3-0 home series defeat against England, a result that drew criticism and raised questions about the team’s long-term planning.

The PCB now appears to believe that Babar’s experience can help guide the side through a crucial phase. With a mix of senior players and emerging talent in the squad, the board will be hoping that a change in leadership can produce better results on the field.

Pakistan’s upcoming Test assignments carry added significance as the team looks to rebuild its standing in international red-ball cricket. The West Indies series will provide the first indication of whether the leadership change can spark an immediate turnaround.

Further attention is likely to remain on both Babar Azam and Shan Masood as Pakistan begin a new chapter in their Test cricket journey.

Shan Masood rewrites record books

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has slammed the fastest first-class double century for Pakistan, shattering a 19-year-old landmark set by India’s Virender Sehwag and a three-decade-old national record of Inzamam-ul-Haq. The left-hander reached his double ton in just 177 balls on the opening day of the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2025-26 in Karachi.

Playing for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) against Sahir Associates, Masood showcased ultra-aggressive red-ball batting that underlines Pakistan’s new attacking template in longer formats.

How Shan Masood broke Sehwag and Inzamam’s marks

Masood’s 200 came off 177 deliveries, eclipsing Sehwag’s 182-ball double century against Pakistan in Lahore in 2006, which had stood as a benchmark for high-tempo long-format batting on the subcontinent. At the same time, he bettered Inzamam-ul-Haq’s Pakistan record of a 188-ball double ton scored in a first-class match in 1992.

By stumps on day one, Masood was unbeaten on 212 off 185 balls, a knock studded with boundaries and a strike rate above 110, underlining how quickly he turned a solid start into a dominance-establishing marathon. His effort is now officially the fastest first-class double century for Pakistan in terms of balls faced.

Massive 390-run stand powers SNGPL

Masood’s historic feat came in a monumental 390-run partnership for the second wicket with fellow left-hander Ali Zaryab, after SNGPL lost their first wicket at 53. Zaryab missed his own double century by just eight runs, falling for 192 off 237 balls, but the pair had already pushed the game decisively in SNGPL’s favour.

By the end of the first day, SNGPL had piled up 460 for 2 in 82.1 overs, completely bossing Sahir Associates and leaving their bowlers searching for answers. The stand is among the highest for any wicket in Pakistan’s domestic cricket and highlights the depth in their first-class batting stocks.

Why this record matters now

Masood’s fastest first-class double century for Pakistan arrives at a time when teams are increasingly demanding attacking intent in red-ball cricket, influenced by ultra-positive approaches like ‘Bazball’ and modern franchise leagues. For Pakistan, seeing their Test captain lead that shift with a 177-ball double ton sends a strong message ahead of upcoming international assignments.

For fans, this innings is not just a domestic milestone but a signal that Pakistan’s top-order could embrace a more fearless style in Test cricket, combining traditional technique with modern scoring rates. It also rekindles India-Pakistan nostalgia, with Masood now pushing past a record once owned by Sehwag, one of India’s most destructive openers.

What it means for Shan Masood’s 2025 form

This is Masood’s second first-class double century in 2025 after a 250-run knock for Karachi Blues against Abbottabad earlier in the year, taking his career tally of double tons to five. Such sustained big scores bolster his credentials as Pakistan’s long-term Test captain and premier top-order batter.

If he can translate this domestic dominance and the confidence of holding the fastest first-class double century for Pakistan into Test cricket, Pakistan’s batting unit could gain a much-needed anchor who also scores at a modern, pressure-inducing tempo.​